DominicJ; those general problems don't disqualify aspecific strategy because the historical strategy was affected as well.

The Afghanistan project is stupid, that's for sure. We shoudln't have expanded it in 2002.Yet, we did it - and it's kinda disappointing that we didn't se any brilliant operations or strategies in eight years!

1) It is impossible to sell such a strategy politically. Just look at the current debate, it is all about a firm troop commitment. There is no room for a nontangible force pledge to Afghanistan.

2) It won't work. At some point, there will be enough KIA and WIA to be unable to maintain the pledge.

3) The Taliban won't care. Frankily, the insurgents believe that their fight is holy and will not desist until defeated or the West leaves their country. Furthermore, the majority always believed they will win, especially harcore elements of Quetta council, HIG, and Haqqani.

4) Its stupid. It is restrictive, and your locking yourself into commitment. The way to win wars is to have enough room to make flexible choices. Such a pledge reeks of dodged hardheadedness, incompetence, and weakness. If you are making threats, then you know you are not doing well.

It wouldn't work unless we bribed local leadership and gave up all pretense of a strong central government. Of course that can't happen because any form of decentralization would be considered heresy by the leadership of Western democracies.